Comments on: UDJ leaders take a retreat in Sodore

By: Mezega

Mezega — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:41:39 +0000

It is true that it is the people in Ethiopia that play a decisive role. But the Diaspora parties (those that have no hope of returning home) and their supporters have a sigificant influence on the people in Ethiopia. Birtukan can esily slide into Lidetu's shoes if she pays more attention to Yamamato than to the loquacious diasporic negators like Elias.

By: Ahmed

Ahmed — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:04:28 +0000

I happen to believe that anyone who even contemplates that Meles and his group will just hand the power over peacefully to another group is not only delusional but extremely naive. Meles and his TPLF party have invested a lot in coming to power and in holding to it over the last 17+ years have committed too much crimes and alienated most of Ethiopians. Furthermore, Ethiopia as a country just like the rest of African continent has no culture of tolerance to slight criticism by its concerned citizens let along meaninful democratic practice. It is against this background that it is unlikely any election will bring about change in the country and the leaders of UDJ will likely fail in their endevour no matter how well intentioned they are.

By: Girma

Girma — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:58 +0000

One should not believe Ambassador Yamamato at all. If the U.S. policy is transformed, why does the state Department is still opposing HR2003?

By: Yonnas

Yonnas — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:18:01 +0000

Yes Elias is erratic at times and use some deragatory/abusive words against some notable figures of the opposition in Ethiopia.

But having said the above – Elias brought some good points and questions to the UDJP envoy Prof. Mesfin w/m to answer. Among the questions highlighted by him are: Where are the 8 points? Why abondon Kinijit because the tyrannt said so? Why not fight the TPLF peacully about the stolen election/party name etc than preparing to legitmize it by participating in an election? Why all of a sudden trust the NEB who was the instrument for stealing the 2005 election by asking it to register a new party? etc so many important questions – but Mesfin couldn’t answer it because he doesn’t have the answer instead he went to attack others who choose to fight the TPLF (the enemy) in another mode of struggle. My friend, it doesn’t matter who said it but that is the truth. And Mesfin has a lot of questions to answer about his role being a non Kinijit council memeber who resigned after writing a beautyful letter of power mongering but then now he is on the driver sit of a splinter faction. We will not let it go!

It is completly fishy! The UDJP has a deal with the US Embassy and the TPLF to topple Eng. HS, to destroy Kinijit, kill the struggle all together and legitmize the TPLF. Now it came to light one by one – slowly but surely.

By: Sewbageru

Sewbageru — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:53:00 +0000

Elias,
Thanks for the info.
But what's wrong with Birtukan and Co. talking to diplomats? Isn't that part of their political activity? And how on earth do you equate that with detachment from the people? What's wrong with you?

By: Gezmu

Gezmu — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:05:56 +0000

Elias,
I think, recently you are loosing your bearings. Most of your postings and comments are testless. Really you are not helpfull in Ethiopian politics.

By: weche gud

weche gud — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:49:52 +0000

Elias, please give them the benefit of doubt. Learn from your previous hasty generalizations. We need all rounded support from all walks of struggle. We need Ginbot 7, we need UDJ, we need armed struggle… we need all to get rid of woyane. You are fighting people with a similar goal but different strategy. Your attack is misplaced. ebakih wede hilinah temeles!!! We need you in the struggle as well!

By: Dany

Dany — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:54:44 +0000

People are getting massacred on one hand and are starving on the other, and the defunct opposition is lounging in Sodere dining with monkeys? This is tasteless to say the least.
I cant even fathom how I would feel if I was languishing in one of the many weyane's prisons and then hear of THIS news. I would lose all hope in man kind let alone Ethiopia.
Leaders should be bold and men of action. Take the fight to the oppressors and do all that you can to achieve freedom. Armed struggle is the only way out of this curse called weyane from tigray dingay land.
I hope Ginbot 7 is not going to disappoint me with their methods of conduct in deposing this evil regime once and for all.

One Love Ethiopia.

By: Fatuma

Fatuma — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:27:07 +0000

Let us aviod generalization and conclusion based on our intution/feeling.

How can you say "UDJ is detached from the people of Ethiopia" well that is your gut feeling I want to respect your view. But Elias as Journalist hide your feeling and let ideas, things go on their way. UDJ, Ginbot 7, etcccccccccccc, all are working to bring democracy and sustainable development in the country. let us support all and bring the envisaged outcome through respect and mutual help.

let us learn from each other. let us avoid critics but develop constructive feedback, looking forward our development. If we can't do this little things how could we achieve what we want in this complex and dirty world in the long term. Let us learn from Obama and Hilary How they join hands for mutual benefit.

By: minilik

minilik — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:45:25 +0000

Here we go again! I don't know who is working in Elias's head! Has he got any thinking peice of brain in that head?
He is transformiming himself from "quite interesting into quite disgusting creature?

You need to be ashamed of yourself!!!!!

By: Abi

Abi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:22:30 +0000

Elias, U better commit suicide.

By: Tokichaw

Tokichaw — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:16:45 +0000

Elias,

UJD have choosen their way of fight and others (including Ginbot 7) have opted for another means of struggle. That should be fine with us. Respect people's choice. That is what democracy means. Attacking individuals personally when you don't agree with their idea is a thing of the past, the failed EPRP style bad politics.

Smear campaign is not going to earn you respect among your readers. Try to get better. At least UJD people are battling the woyane regieme on the front line-inside the country- and they deserve respect.

By: hailu

hailu — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:57:23 +0000

Ato Elias,

I like to congratulate you that there are plenty of people who tried to offer you their advice, if only you heed to it. Some think you are stupid and silly. I personally think you are not that silly. Some others think you shabias agent. I am not sure about that. Others think you are as intolerant of different views as a viscious dictator. I can not refute that.

How far is Amanual Hospital? you have friends, no family, no one to help you. I am so sorry Elias, I far far away I can't help. Please some one, I beg you in the name of God, Take Elias to Doctors. please, Please. After all he is or brother.

By: sam

sam — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:52:30 +0000

Don't even think for a second you can transform power from woyane to the people through Democracy,election votes etc. Woyane came to power through armed struggle over 20 years. Do you think woyane will disapear just like that? I am not a war monger and I don't want to see my brothers and sisters die of war. unfortunately, war was the story of our life as far as I remember. But at this present danger looming in ethiopia, armed struggle is the only option to protect Ethiopian sovernighty and its people from those traitors and bandas.Today, Ethiopia is dying slowly through divide and conquer policy placed upon us. Our country is loosing its land and resources in which our fathers and grandfathers had fought and protected in their blood for years.The woyane regime either doesn't care or their heart and mind are some where else. It is outrageous that tigraian people (woyanes core constituence) don't see that. They are blinded by their ethnic association which serve nothing. In my opinion, If we want to bring woyane atleast to the table,we have to flex some muscle… that way we will get their undivided attention. They will start to respect the people only if they feel treatned to lose their power.

By: debella

debella — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:50:20 +0000

one cannot have a democratic institution from top down – and you cannot have a party without the support of the people – the UDJ is just like OPDO – OPDM etc since – you cannot name yourself as representative as long you are supported by the tplf cadres to have you registered as a party – where are they getting all the money and we know their supporters here who are busy collecting money just to sustain their own living. The Burtukans are a facade for opposition they have betrayed to democratic movement and the train has already left them where they are – the people back home have no respect for them.

By: getachew

getachew — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:39:08 +0000

I hate it when somebody talks on a matter by saying "THE PEOPLE". What do you mean by "detached from the people"? Did you take poll? You are not even in Ethiopia. How do you know what everybody feels about UDJ. Just discuss matters without putting blind conclusion.

By: Surafel

Surafel — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:38:05 +0000

Dear Eritrawi,

What can I say? I am really dizzy and speechless by your rosy and breathy description of your motherland to the north; as a bastion of democracy, freedom, peace and tranquility. I blame no one but Elias for making us suffer indignities such as yours on an Ethiopian forum. Looks to me you are a PFDJ mouth piece whose motto is: ‘tell a lie, make it a big one, repeat it often enough, and a lot of people will believe it’. My brotherly advice to you is, please tell the truth and shame the devil.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:27:46 +0000

Yamamoto is lying through his teeth that he controls Meles or the U.S. defense department that is running the foreign policy.

Yamamato may support human rights, but he has never delivered against the Woyanes.

He has limited ability and limited influence. He has yet to speak against Woyane human rights violations or the massacres.

So if UDJ believes anything Yamamato says, they are going to creek and they will suffer the same consequences like 2005.

The bottom line Meles will never reliquish power without a fight. If he feels threatened, he will mow down without mercy the population of Addis and more.

There has to be other military, guirella or other threats for him to acquise to any rule of law or peaceful transfer of power.

By: Eritrawi

Eritrawi — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:25:21 +0000

Mr. Elias you have a long way to go to help so many people in the diaspora who think that somehow Woyanne will allow the UDJ to take power. Your reporting of the communication between the UDJ "leadership" and the American ambassador to Ethiopia clearly shows who is running the show in Addis. The US state department know only Woyanne is suited to serve their interests, now their job is to make Ethiopia look like a "multi party democracy" by letting a lame opposition party in their payroll participate in the facade 2010 elections. Despite the wet dreams of some Ethiopians in the diaspora there is no such as multi party democracy anywhere in the third world specially Africa. Any African party is an ethnic or religious party in disguise, that is one fact many so called educated diaspora can't understand no matter how transparent the so called multi party democracy is. Look at Kenya, the two parties represented two large ethnic groups yet had catchy names, when the elections happened you saw what transpired, now the west managed to make peace with the "leaders" of those ethnic groups to create a temporary peace that won't last. Most Ethiopians should learn a lesson from Kenya and other countries and not get fooled into thinking they can live in a "multi party democracy". It won't happen and anything that might resemble it is a mirage. Learn from Eritrea, no foreign nation no matter how strong they think they will tell the Eritrean people how to run their country, they don't allow fake political parties based on ethnicity and religion, that is why Eritrea is considered a dictatorship by the leaders of west because they know Eritrea will not be another failed state with fake democracy. Yet when you look at Eritrea there is no ethnic or religious division among its people, they suffered together and they are enjoying internal peace together, they won't allow any western power to tell them how to run their country. Keep it up Elias, the more you challenge the uninformed in the Ethiopian diaspora the more you will force them to think because no one can live all their life deluding themselves and getting fooled by the west and their puppets forever.

By: yikerebelen

yikerebelen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:21:32 +0000

well done our hereo w/t Birtukan medkessa. just take our party's legitmacy and you will take the right decission based on the reality on the ground in the future. We know the narrow the elfish and corrupted yammamoto will bounce from his post as soon as the wrong USA's party which is in the white house under the leadership of the well known criminal on earth [BUSH] will be bounced from whitie house since 2009 after election. Elias, your sources know every thing about UDJP.may be yammamoto is your reporter ?